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Utilizing TRI Data for Community Health and Safety

  • jmaiden
  • Sep 12
  • 2 min read

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TRI data is a powerful foundation for protecting community health and safety. On November 26, 2010, EPA expanded the TRI list by adding 16 chemicals identified by the National Toxicology Program’s Report on Carcinogens as “reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens.” Twelve of these chemicals were listed individually, and four were added to the polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) category—known for their persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic characteristics.

This action satisfied EPCRA Section 313 listing criteria and became effective for reports due July 1, 2012, covering Reporting Year 2011.

Resources for Communities


Practical tools exist to help communities make use of TRI data. ChemicalRight2Know.org, developed by the Environmental Council of the States with EPA support, provides a collaborative space where users share:


  • Analyses of TRI trends.

  • Real-world stories of how communities use TRI data.

  • Research and user-submitted documents.


The forum encourages communities to learn from each other’s experiences and apply TRI data to local decision-making.


Citizens also have direct access to EPA’s Envirofacts TRI Search, which allows users to:


  • Look up facilities by city, state, or zip code.

  • View reports dating back to 1987.

  • Explore additional analysis tools on the EPA TRI Data and Tools page.


These resources empower communities to identify hazards earlier, monitor chemical trends, and focus on meaningful risk reduction.


Why Transparency Matters


When facilities and communities use TRI data together, they build stronger partnerships for environmental protection. Access to clear, accurate data not only supports informed decision-making but also builds trust between regulated facilities and the public. Transparency encourages proactive measures to address potential risks before they escalate into larger problems.


How TRI Toolkit Can Help


The TRI Toolkit helps facilities turn chemical inventories into reliable, transparent reporting that the public can understand. Facilities can:


  • Add products using AI-powered SDS parsing, Excel uploads, web UI, or ERP integration.

  • Automatically flag Section 313 chemicals, carcinogens, and chemicals of special concern.

  • Conduct real-time threshold reviews and generate tailored release profiles.

  • Use guided questionnaires to reduce errors and streamline decisions.

  • Produce EPA-ready Form R XML files for TRI-MEweb with completeness and consistency checks.


These features make TRI submissions audit-ready and accessible, helping facilities present accurate information that supports community health and safety.


References


  1. 2024 QA Consolidation #428 — In 2005, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) released its 11th Report on Carcinogens (RoC), which outlines chemicals that may pose a hazard to human health by virtue of their carcinogenity. Has EPA added any of the chemicals from the RoC to the EPCRA §313 TRI toxic chemical list?

  2. 2024 QA Consolidation #908 — What is ChemicalRight2Know.org?

  3. 2024 QA Consolidation #912 — If a citizen is concerned about emissions from a facility in their neighborhood, what is the best way for them to determine if that facility has ever filed a TRI report?

 
 
 
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